About the DEC Trust
The Disability Empowerment Concerns (DEC) Trust is a South African non-profit organisation established in 1996. It works to advance the social and economic inclusion of people with disabilities. The Trust has worked with partner organisations and investment partners to channel funds towards organisations that serve disabled South Africans.
Education is one of its main focus areas. Access to tertiary study remains one of the biggest barriers that disabled South Africans face when they try to enter the skilled workforce. General-purpose bursary funds often do not address that barrier directly. The DEC Trust bursary does.
How the DEC Trust supports students
The bursary is open only to South African students with disabilities. They may study towards undergraduate or postgraduate qualifications in approved scarce and critical skills fields. These follow the National List of Occupations in High Demand and the Critical Skills List. Typical areas include engineering, information technology and computer science, health sciences, finance and accounting, education, business and marketing, and some technical trades.
Funding can cover tuition, accommodation, textbooks and living allowances. The Trust also lists laptops and disability-related assistive devices or technology that the institution does not provide. This matters because the extra costs of studying with a disability can be high.
The published information does not mention an employment work-back obligation. The Trust's goal is to help disabled students finish qualifications that lead to real jobs, so confirm any conditions in your award letter.
What to know before applying
You must provide proof of disability or medical verification. You also need admission to a registered public university and no other bursary or funding for the same period. Matric applicants need an average of at least 65%, and current students must keep a 65% overall average. There is no age limit.
Selection looks at several things. These include your disability support needs, your university admission, your academic performance, and whether your course is on the approved list. The Trust also weighs your commitment to completing the qualification, along with the money available.
StudyTrust runs the application platform. The season runs from 1 June to 30 September. Prepare a certified ID copy, medical proof, your admission letter and your academic transcripts. Check the current rules before you apply, because they can change.
The Trust has also partnered with the engineering consultancy SMEC South Africa and the investment group Kapela Holdings, which manages money for the Trust and channels funds to disability organisations. That structure helps explain why the Trust can fund studies at scale. In addition, contact your university's disability unit early. It can arrange access support on campus, and it can confirm what the institution does and does not provide.
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